Primavera means “spring” in Italian, and this satisfying soup makes the most of the delicate flavors of springtime veggies. The chowder is thickened with puréed vegetables rather than flour and milk or cream, for a lighter, gluten-free option.

Add a slice of crusty bread and a tossed salad to this soup for a quick, satisfying cold-weather meal. To make the soup without the Slow-Roasted Tomatoes, simply substitute two 15-ounce cans whole tomatoes for the slow-roasted tomatoes and water used.

A creamy-garlicky cashew ricotta complements the sweet flavors of beets and caramelized onions in this colorful dish. The recipe makes 1 cup of cashew ricotta; save the remaining 1/2 cup for another use.